Cosponsored by the International Society for Ecology and Culture and The Ecology Center. Humanity has lost nearly three-quarters of our agricultural biodiversity in the last century. Now, in the face of an increasingly volatile climate, conserving the remaining seed diversity is a matter of survival. A growing body of scientists, farmers and activists have rejected the technological fix of genetically engineered crops in support of the conservation of traditional seeds and the promotion of agroecological farming techniques. Join us for an intimate dialogue about the value of traditional crop varieties and ecological agriculture in an unstable world, with special guest, Dr. Debal Deb - ecologist, scholar, author and founding director of the Center for Interdisciplinary Studies in West Bengal, India. This is a benefit to support Dr. Deb's inspiring Vrihi and Basudha initiatives which have conserved and regenerated over 600 varieties of traditional rice to date—the largest non-governmental rice seed repository in eastern India. Dr. Deb will discuss the crucial importance of this agricultural heritage to food security and resilience in the face of climate change. Time: 7 pm - 9 pm. Location: Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo Ave, near Dwight Way, Berkeley. Cost: No door fee; donations encouraged. Proceeds benefit the Center for Interdisciplinary Studies in West Bengal, India. More information is here.

PCRM is launching an all-new, bigger, and better 21-Day Vegan Kickstart program on New Year’s Day. Sign up for an all-access pass to daily messages that will include a breakfast, lunch, and dinner menu, nutrition webcasts, and a chance to win coupons redeemable at PCRM’s Marketplace. The message will also contain links to the Kickstart Web site where you will find:» Celebrity tips providing guidance and inspiration from actress Alicia Silverstone, four-time NBA champion John Salley, Oprah’s chef Tal Ronnen, and more» Daily e-tips that are designed to put you on the path to weight loss, better health, and greater well-being » 21-day meal plan with delicious, easy, and satisfying recipes sent every day that will help you break cravings for unhealthy foods » Weekly motivational nutrition webcasts » Social support of other Kickstart participants through a community forum where nutrition professionals answer health and diet questions » An interactive vegan restaurant guide Register at 21DayKickstart.org.

Ian Fry, the Tuvalu delegate to the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark, makes an impassioned plea for a legally binding agreement on climate change in the video above. This is a must-see video. Please continue to encourage your US Senators to seriously put Global Warming at the top of the agenda. A US Senator contact list is here.

When my company relocated me to the San Francisco Bay area in 1998, and I told my coworkers I was Vegetarian, all of them said I had to try Trader Joes. I still remember the day I walked into one, and I couldn't leave.

Cooking with All Things Trader Joes and The Trader Joes Companion (A Portable Cookbook) are new cookbooks that feature great food combinations. The Cookbooks feature great ideas for vegetarian and vegan meals such as: Indian Spinach Pizza, Homemade Hummus, Spicy Asian Slaw, Mediterranean Lentil Salad, No Moo Mousse, and Mango Passion Fruit Cocktail. I can go on, but I think you get the idea that if you're looking for creative dishes, check out these vegan-friendly books. For the non-vegan recipes, you can easily veganize many of the them. Have a favorite recipe from the books you'd like to share? Let us know by commenting on this post.

This story sounds very similar to mine! I left a Fortune 500 Silicon Valley Company to start Businesses that reduce climate emissions. As you know, one of them is Gratitude Gourmet! Pat Brown, a Stanford University biochemist, will leave his Stanford work for 18 months to help change the way the world farms and eats. He wants to put an end to animal farming, or at least put a significant dent in our global hunger for cows, pigs and chickens. See the Forbes article here for more details.

Farm Sanctuary Press ReleaseWATKINS GLEN, N.Y. – December 1, 2009 – In a surprising move, a small Tennessee town, appropriately named Signal Mountain, beat New York to the punch to become the first town in the nation to pass a groundbreaking Green Food Resolution, an ordinance designed to counteract the massive health and environmental damage created by large-scale factory farms and the meat industry, by encouraging local farms, plant-based diets, ecological sustainability and nutritious eating habits. New York currently has a Green Food Resolution pending.

Inspired by Farm Sanctuary’s Green Foods Resolution Campaign, David Cook, a columnist for Signal Mountain’s Mountain Mirror newspaper, penned a column suggesting the small Tennessee town should consider passing a Green Food Resolution of its own. The column caught the attention of City Councilman Paul M. Hendricks who immediately took action and presented the groundbreaking resolution before the five member Signal Mountain Town Council, who made national history when they voted unanimously to adopt the Green Food Resolution ordinance.

“Playing an integral role in the passage of the nation’s first Green Food Resolution reminded me of the power of true democracy,” said Cook. “Behind this resolution are countless others who are doing the same work in restoring the balance, in creating a right relationship once again between people and the land. I am proud of Signal Mountain and believe this is just the beginning.’’

The historic passage of the U.S.’s first Green Food Resolution in Signal Mountain, Tennessee marks a major milestone in the country’s effort to reduce its national climate “foodprint” — a more significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions than all transportation systems combined — by proactively addressing the impact food choices have on the numerous health and environmental problems plaguing the nation. The passage also marks an important milestone for Farm Sanctuary, the nation’s leading farm animal protection organization, which recently launched a campaign to introduce Green Food Resolutions in cities and towns throughout the country.

“I was proud to introduce a resolution that is consistent with the values and principles I have long believed in,” said Councilman Hendricks. “As a physician, I know well the value of a good diet. As a long-time environmentalist, I understand the importance of decreasing the amounts of chemicals and especially antibiotics and hormones put into our food sources. As a community leader, I understand the value of keeping our food production at the local level. This initiative is a winning combination at all levels — personal, local and global.”

Future planning and sustainability are not new concepts in this Tennessee town. Signal Mountain signed onto the Mayor's Agreement on Climate Change two years ago while Hendricks was Mayor. There are also several small farms on Signal Mountain and many mountain residents already participate in plant-based Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs. The ordinance will complement these actions, as well as work that is currently being done to restore streams to healthy levels and resolve current and future traffic and transportation issues in a sustainable way.

“We applaud Councilman Hendricks and the town of Signal Mountain for taking visionary action to protect the health of their citizens, the environment and the billions of animals raised for food in deplorable conditions on factory farms each year,” said Gene Baur, president and co-founder of Farm Sanctuary. “By promoting access to healthy, plant-based food, Signal Mountain will indeed send a signal to the rest of the nation about the critical importance of thoughtful eating.”

Through Farm Sanctuary’s Green Food Resolutions Campaign, advocates just like Cook are reaching out to their local city governments to introduce resolutions similar to the one passed in Signal Mountain, and seeking wide support for the expansion of farmers markets, community supported CSA programs, community gardens and other venues that provide healthful plant-based foods.

On June 30, New York City Council Member Bill de Blasio introduced a similar groundbreaking resolution for New York City calling for a citywide FoodprintNYC initiative to reduce the city’s climate foodprint and create greater access to local, fresh, healthy plant-based food, especially in low-income communities, as well as city-run institutions. So far, 24 City Council members have signed on as co-sponsors.

Earlier this year, President Obama showed support of local gardens to promote healthy food by announcing the establishment of an edible garden on the South Lawn of the White House. In addition, the new U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced his intention to create community gardens at every USDA facility around the world, starting with the “People’s Garden,” located on the grounds of the USDA.

If you would like to receive a copy of the Signal Mountain Green Food Resolution, or speak with Farm Sanctuary President and Co-founder Gene Baur, please contact Meredith Turner at 646-369-6212 or mturner@farmsanctuary.org.

The Exploratorium is holding a Science of Cocktails event which will present the artistry of master mixologists melded with the science behind the craft. They'll take an in-depth, hands-on look at the physics, chemistry, and biology of cocktails, engaging guests with an exploration of their favorite libations. See the website www.exploratorium.edu/scienceofcocktails for more information.

For three decades, EcoFarm’s flagship event has brought food system stakeholders together for education, networking and celebration. With over 60 workshops featuring prominent speakers on the latest advances in agricultural techniques, marketing strategies, research and other important food system issues, along with organic meals and lively entertainment, the Eco-Farm Conference is the largest sustainable agriculture gathering in the western United States.The theme for this year's conference is "Where the Future is Planted". More information and registration details are here.

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